Curative Waters wagon

The wagon that Captain Kidd buys, which once transported ill people to “Curative Waters East Mineral Springs Texas,” represents the own curative properties of Captain Kidd and Johanna’s friendship. Although it accrues some bullet holes in the Brazos gunfight, the act of defending their wagon as a team only strengthens their bond.

Coins

Coins symbolize alternative value-systems, especially around economic value and commerce. In the political and economic ravages of Reconstruction-era Texas, even small nickels and dimes are rare and precious; the Spanish gold coin seems almost priceless. Often the characters’ interactions with these coins elucidate how greedy or generous they are. While Captain Kidd only works hard to earn just enough money to provide for Johanna and himself, John Calley and his crew intimidate people like Captain Kidd into giving them money. Because she does not understand coins as “legal tender” (201), Johanna...